It's often easier said than done - just do it. This motivational slogan, which was also the title of guest speaker Prof Dr Volker Busch's lecture, was perfectly fitting at OTH Regensburg's annual academic celebration. In his review of the year 2024, OTH President Prof. Dr Ralph Schneider made it clear that the university lives and breathes ‘just do it’. The record number of participants on Friday 6 December showed that this was well received. More than 400 guests, including Lord Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, city councillors, members of the state parliament, clergy and representatives of neighbouring universities of applied sciences and universities, members of the university and former presidents attended the highlight of the academic year.
A Christmassy stage set and a festive musical setting by the OTH choir awaited them. Moderator Valerie Fischer led through the programme, which traditionally began with the commemoration of the deceased members of the university family. Markus Blume, Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts, delivered his greeting via video message. He emphasised that in difficult times, institutions are needed that radiate hope, future and passion. And OTH Regensburg is such a special institution. From the doctoral centres to the new House for Innovation and Transfer and the technology transfer centres in the region, OTH Regensburg demonstrates how to ‘just do it’.
Klaus Zuchs, Chairman of the Student Representative Council (StuV), gave an insight into the current work of the StuV and emphasised the newly created International Campus Friends group, which is working very successfully to meet the needs of international students.
OTH Regensburg is a pioneer in the academisation of healthcare professions
In his ‘look back’, President Schneider summarised the highlights of the university year and first stepped forward in a fitting Santa hat and with a golden book. Although he did not read the riot act to anyone, as Minister Blume had jokingly imagined in his welcoming address, he did not leave out the difficult topics. He sardonically remarked that the snowflakes projected in the background were not snowflakes at all, but gender stars. The so-called gender ban had certainly caused annoyance at the university, as OTH Regensburg stands for diversity, openness and tolerance.
These are central themes in the university development plan, which took centre stage at last year's Annual Academic Celebration. President Schneider then went into more detail about one of the development priorities of the plan, namely the motto of the annual celebration: ‘Health’. OTH Regensburg is a pioneer in the academisation of the nursing professions. ‘Around 1,000 students are currently enrolled on 14 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in the field of health. We combine the subjects of health, social affairs, technology, business administration and design - a unique selling point of our university,’ says Schneider. The specialists trained at OTH Regensburg not only contribute to a higher quality of patient care, they can also perform more demanding work, have better career opportunities, develop innovations and work in interdisciplinary teams.
The numerous events could not be left out of the annual review. President Schneider particularly highlighted the ceremony for the awarding of the independent right to award doctorates, at which it was officially announced that further doctoral centres had been approved. OTH Regensburg now operates a total of six doctoral centres in association with the Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg and the Munich University of Applied Sciences, two of which are based in Regensburg.
The Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with a large series of events. It was visionary that the first computer science students were educated here 50 years ago. In the meantime, the number of students in the faculty has grown to 2000.
There was also a special success to celebrate away from the lecture theatres this year. The OTH Regensburg football team won the trophy at the Bavarian University Championships on 5 July 2024. In honour of the team, President Schneider instigated a wave of applause in the lecture theatre that was certainly fit for a stadium.
Another record in 2024 was the number of 2802 first-year students in the winter semester 2024/25, which means that more than 11,000 students are now enrolled at OTH Regensburg. President Schneider also made his first major appearance as a Tik-Tok star at the first semester welcome, which immediately drove up the number of views on the new social media channel. As a festive conclusion to his speech, there were of course presents on St Nicholas' Day. Two biscuits that can be put together to form a Christmas tree require minimal technical understanding, but they were also very tasty.
Award for good teaching goes to two lecturers
OTH Regensburg honoured the two winners of the prize for good teaching with two videos. Prof Dr Sabine Jaritz (Faculty of Business and Management) and Prof Dr Ina Schildbach (Faculty of Social and Health Sciences) impressed with their exceptional commitment. Both emphasised that their greatest motivation was the feedback from the students and the opportunity to give the young people valuable impulses on their way into professional life. Dipl.-Kfm. Gert Wölfel, Chairman of the Foundation for the Promotion of OTH Regensburg, and Dr Bernd Waffler, Deputy Chairman, presented the awards to the two outstanding lecturers.
Another highlight of the celebration was provided by Prof Dr Volker Busch, scientist, specialist in neurology, psychiatry and psychotherapy and bestselling author. In his lecture ‘Just do it! Don't be afraid of change’, he dispelled myths and impressively illustrated how lifelong learning has an impact on well-being and health. Although change is exhausting, it is a natural stimulator for the brain. Anyone who learns something new as an adult, such as juggling, a foreign language or an instrument, can rebuild nerve cells and provide new stimuli for the brain even in old age.
The guests used the subsequent reception for a lively exchange and, true to the saying ‘Just do it’, one or two ideas were certainly launched that will cause a stir in 2025.
